The Western Medley - Country/Bluegrass - 2005
Large medleys of thematic songs were a regular feature of the Country/Bluegrasses, and were well-liked and anticipated by the audiences. Every C/B concert featured two medleys: the main one was in the first half of the concert, and was more than 20 min. in length. The shorter medley was in the second half, and usually was linked to a comedy skit based on a TV theme song, and an impersonation of the TV cast members. The
"Western Medley" presents songs of the wild west, cowboys, and the frontier. Happily, western songs are possessed of some of the most beautiful melodies in American folk music. Because of the great tunes involved, choral treatments are especially effective, and choral arrangers have known this for the whole history of the nation.
To see a full list of all the medleys that were presented over the many years and in twelve C/B concerts, go here----->
Instrumentation: string bass, Karen Richason; 5-string banjo, Mark Richason; guitar, Michael Roy; piano, Diane M.; percussion, Dean Vellenga; music arrangements, MR
Don't Fence Me In / I Ride an Old Paint / Ghost Riders In the Sky: The "Western" was the concert's main medley at over 30 min. These 3 songs were the open sequence and were performed as one. Claudia sings the solos in Don't Fence..." MR rides "Old Paint" into the prairie to kick the old bucket. A seamless seque leads into the mysterioso minor key of "Ghost Riders."
Colorado Trail: An especially lilting melody makes this frontier song perfect for choral treatment. Beverley sings the solo. Mac Cowden provides the harmonica intro. MR sheepishly admits that this arrangement was influenced by the Norman Luboff Choir rendition.
The Hangman: It's probably wise not to give too much of an intoduction,.. or any undue attention to this... "song." The audience certainly must have had some regrets. Listen if you must.
Rawhide: This energetic pop western song, made famous by Frankie Laine, makes for great choral, and the Immanuel Singers are at the top of their versatile skills here. The hilarious part comes at the very end, where Bill Solms, tenor in the Singers and attorney by trade, shows up
with a bull whip, and his intention is to give it a resounding crack right on the last note. He however misses by one beat. The choir and the audience are quite aware of this lack of synchonization. As it turns out, it couldn't have been staged any better. This...was the fun stuff C/B concerts were made of. Thanks. Bill, for your bull whip ineptitude!
Whoopie Ty Yi Yo: This is perhaps the most listenable and well-sung song in the medley. The mix of instruments: guitar, string bass, piano, and percussion (with a bit of banjo here and there) is nearly perfect. The woman's and men's unisons are also pristine in sound, accuracy, and
phrasing. As extra choral interest, listen for the unusual device of a constant shifting in key centers without invoking actual modulations. And in the last chorus, the melody is sung simultaneously in two different keys between the men and women. This is MR's favorite western song, and one of his favorites among his own arrangements. Lou Rose provides the baritone solo about those misguided cowboys who "tries the trail for pleasure."
Western Songs for Men Only: For the identity of these two songs, listen to this rib-splitting song skit. Afterwards that night, both the Singers and the audience were hyper-ventilated. Never have you heard men in a concert audience sing more boldly.
Tumblin' Tumbleweeds: As the Western Medley winds down into the finale, the Singers start to sound the theme songs of the famous cowboy stars. This one was sung by "The Sons of the Pioneers," on Gene Autry films (1935) and radio and TV shows. Claudia takes the soulful lead.
Back in the Saddle Again: The signature song of the "Singing Cowboy," Gene Autry, this was written by him in 1939. Jeline Hinkson sings the solo.
Happy Trails: The final song of the medley: listen as MR asks a question of everyone right before this song. Also listen for the right answer, shouted out by an astute man in the audience, who knew what had to come next. This Song was written by Dale Evans as the theme song for
the radio show of the '40's and '50's, and ther '60's TV show. Rogers and Evans recorded it in 1952. Michael Roy and Jan play the parts of Roy and Dale in this arrangement. We tried to get an ending Trigger whinny out of Diane, but she refused this simple task.